Biodynamics in Practice - How the Preps are Made and Used

In today's video Jeff Poppen, known as the Barefoot Farmer, breaks down how the biodynamic preps are made and used on his farm, Long Hungry Creek, in Tennesee.
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[@timhammond4522]

I see a lot of skeptical comments here. As a professional ecologist and physical scientist, I understand where that's coming from. However, I would encourage folks to consider a couple things. First, I spent much of the 1970s driving a tractor round and round injecting anhydrous ammonia into soil that once grew lush prairie grass with no help except an occasional fire, some bison poop, and some rodents burying things, but that couldn't even grow healthy tumble weeds in the 70s without tons of synthetic fertilizer. I spent a lot of days thinking about that and wondering how the heck we could have broken is so badly (I know, now). I don't necessarily buy a lot of the ritual and mysticism here, but I absolutely think there's something to the idea that nutrients can be found, concentrated, and distributed within an ecological system through processes similar to those described here. Second, I've had the privilege of spending a fair bit of time with Indigenous knowledge holders and gaining some understanding of the validity of "different ways of knowing," not as something that translates directly to western science, but as a knowledge stream that flows along a different channel to the same outlet, intersecting from time to time along the way. For example, implementing a treatment at a particular time of day can very well correlate with a biological function like stomata opening up, even though someone approaching the task from the perspective of a different knowledge system may correlate it with a ritual procedure instead. In addition, the biologically important part may be one step in the ritual and the rest may sound like nonsense, but wrapping it in ritual can help ensure it's passed from generation to generation in a way that is ingrained and persists through cultural practices, even if there is no written record or text book or internet where someone can look it up. I'm not defending mysticism or superstition. I am saying that the foundation concept here makes sense to me as a western-trained scientist, and I am saying that the western scientific method isn't the only method of verifying and documenting practices that produce desired results. Are all the steps biologically necessary? Probably not. Is the conceptual basis plausible and are the results interesting? For me, yes, so I'm watching it a few more times with an open mind to see what I might learn.

[@heathermaries7251]

Thoughtful! I, too, came to comment that the RITUAL of old practices often solve the issue of translating metrics in a society without standardization / mechanization. You might have kneeded a dough while incanting a number of "Hail Mary's" because you don't own a clock but you do go to Mass and the pace of that incantation is practically standardized across the culture you shared with the recipe-maker. How else will you orally translate a recipe to another person who is also illiterate and without mechanized timekeeping?? Don't let the colonizer cult of modern science blind you to the wisdoms of peoples working "miracles" without the privileges of technology you now enjoy. That technology is often just a distilled/sterilized/stolen version of those wisdoms (hello opiate epidemic??). Terry Pratchett laid this out beautifully with "headology": while the ritual for repairing a bad back included unnecessary components like circling a particular young tree of a certain age a number of times before chopping it into "charmed" planks to be laid under your mattress, ultimately the real medicine was found in the quality of that particular type of wood applied as a mattress platform to fix a poor sleeping position. This is fantasy writing explaining the heritage ritual laid out in this video: swirling the water a certain number of times one direction and then the other COULD also be described in time and intensity, but also it could be described exactly as it was in this video to the SAME effect.

[@MinTubaTuba]

If he said "Look, I don't know how or why it works, but here, on this land, with this climate & these plants - it just, well, it just seems to work..", then I would have no problem with him or what he says. But he does not confess ignorance. Instead, like all the other Steiner-boos, he wants to give the impression that he is kind enough to be share with us some small fragments, some gentle hints, of some grand consciousness-changing theoretical framework. Yes, if only those science-types were able to acknowledge that hydrogen 'particles' travel from the Sun, through space, entering the leaves of plants - why, then right-thinking people might be able have some more respect for science.. Biodynamics - Does it, can it work? This is the wrong question. Was he on to something? Still the wrong question. Steiner was not not modestly offering practical advice, garnered from experience, acknowledging its anecdotal nature. "It worked for me, here - no idea why though.." He, like all the subsequent Steinerists, was proposing, advocating for, something so much grander. So grand that it supplanted not only other explanations, but supplanted even other methods (methods other than: Steiner thought of it one afternoon in a café). This is the root of their pernicious, invasive anti-scientism. Does it work? I don't know, and neither did Steiner - but that still isn't the question. Did Steiner UNDERSTAND why it works, if it does. No. No, he did not. And he had absolutely no good reason to believe that he did. No reason beyond his desperate need to be recognized as someone who was exceptional - exceptionally bright, exceptionally trenchant, and.. a remarkably patronizing attitude towards 'wisdom-keeper' peasants. Peasants who were actually just regular human-beings, doing back-breaking jobs, often with little-to-no returns, working both with and against incomprehensible Nature, in an incomprehensible universe. Saturated with anxiety, grasping at any possibility, including a whole realm of magical-thinking, all mixed together with anecdotal tidbits & gossipy stories. - Leave some porridge for the barn-elves. No, bread & salt is what they want..!! That melange of misunderstanding was the very stuff of what attracted Steiner, because once filtered through his brilliant intuitions, this ancient & trustworthy 'folk-wisdom' could become the new beyond-and-before 'science'. Imagine Steiner talking to a peasant whose ramblings were in line with the gentleman's theories. - Oh, what confirmation..! Imagine Steiner talking to a peasant whose ramblings were NOT in line with the gentleman's theories. - Ach, rustic imbecile..!! The point, of course, is Steiner himself - or, later, being ANOTHER Steiner. We're done here..

[@jessicalacasse6205]

i see it like steroids they do work but you dont start using them at birth but like in the Idiocracy movie when people see a good thing they start overusing and it is a hard fight to show them it is wrong to use a good thing all the time ...lmfao

[@anthonyenosis1]

thanks. " I don't necessarily buy a lot of the ritual and mysticism here", after getting over the, well this is odd, and reading your comment: i kind of chock this up to like cultural practices. If it helps that person or geration or culture remember what the key important steps or ingredients are, i mean yeah, for some its a pen and paper, for others the moon and stars. There has just been so much hocus-pocus that those who really unlock the secrets of science, are at some point magicians. It just matters if it works and if its repeatable. Thanks for the great articulation of that.

[@YOOTOOBjase]

Thank you for the opportunity to learn about how other groups go about their life and method. It's important to be open about things we may not agree with, even if we're just learning to get along with people, which are the most important factors in all considerations

[@time7813]

I appreciate all of No-Till Growers' content, and especially like how Jesse presents information with an appropriate level of humility: "This is what we've tried; these are our observations--your results may differ..." I have no doubt that great-tasting wine can come from a biodynamic practice. My question (like several others in the last two videos' comment-sections) is WHICH specific practices are having the observed effect? It seems to me that--to learn MOST from the history of knowledge, we could easily apply the techniques of experimental scientific inquiry to this question. It ought to be trivially easy to TEST whether 'swirling concoctions from cow horns a certain number of times clockwise, then counter-clockwise'--has ANY effect on any MEASURABLE OUTCOME on the farm or garden. My suspicion is NO: not more than simply adding the life-rich, colloidal inoculant and stirring with a cordless drill: (but I haven't TESTED my hypothesis). Similarly, we can objectively EVALUATE whether the cow-horn-container, or crystals, play a role or not: unless we're invested in 'magical thinking', we ought to be happy IF we learn WHICH elements of the ritual have no measurable effect on the preparation's 'potency'. On the other hand, I can SEE how some of the superstitious-seeming RITUALS have an effect on the PRACTITIONER, and how they interact with the world. I've read (but don't actually know if it's true) that Inuit hunters historically treated every hunted SEAL in certain ritualized ways based on a mythology that 'it is always the same seal's soul' that we hunt, and it will only return to us if we honour its life/sacrifice appropriately'. I find this cosmology improbable, BUT I can see the BENEFIT of "acting as if" it's true. A certain amount of reverence about life and nature is missing from folks who get too mechanistic in their approach. Science doesn't assert any ETHICS, and our ecology, food-systems, and health are suffering as a result. (this is largely what has attracted me to Permaculture systems, which START with ethical axioms: Earth Care; People Care; Return of Surplus) The CAVEAT at the beginning of this video is important, to me; I have SOME concern that No-Till Growers will suffer some reputational harm IF folks make assumptions about associations with some of Steiner's problematic history OR some of bio-dynamic farming's questionable, or scientifically tested (and refuted) claims. I, myself, watch ALL of Farmer Jesse's videos, and JUST ABOUT BAILED on these two, based on the titles alone... ...Ultimately, I thought it would be a better approach to WATCH, then post what I hope is a fair and honest response here, in a civilized comments-section. History is full of folks--some sincere, some not--who sell snake oil... Scientific literacy provides the tools for anyone to evaluate (for FREE!) WHICH practices have merit, and which are simply occult claims of special knowledge or magic designed to extract dollars or discipleship from the credulous masses. Thanks to No-Till Growers for all of your GENEROUS, FANTASTIC CONTENT over the years!

[@davidkottman3440]

Great comments, well done!

[@jjd13579]

Yeah. I'm sorry, but too much of this feels like some GOOP "Jade Egg"-tier advice. I watched the video to give it a fair shot, but this is a step down from the usual evidence-based approach of the channel. Soil biology isn't woo, and we should be able to derive reasonable theory about what elements of biodynamic practices are associated with particular outcomes that can be empirically tested.

[@time7813]

@@jjd13579 Yes: I'm slightly disappointed that the KZbin algorithm now thinks I want to watch videos from Biodynamic hucksters plying their trade--I really value No-Till Growers, and fear the community will suffer a reputational 'hit' through guilt-by-association.

[@thekaimander5264]

People get caught up in the specifics of the what and sometimes lose the broader message. I don't think it's about an actual number of stirs clockwise and/or counterclockwise in the water.... the message is, sufficiently agitate the product in water so that it's better dissolved. Pretty simple.

[@time7813]

@@thekaimander5264 I agree: "sufficiently agitate the product" seems completely reasonable. So does "adding lots of compost to make your garden/farm thrive." The problematic specifics about crystals, cow horns and what time of DAY you swirl your compost (and in what direction)--is what tips the assertions of biodynamics towards 'pseudoscience'; There's a HEART of truth, here. But when it's a system that CLAIMS the magic is in the faith-based 'secret sauce,-(which they also happen to SELL), as opposed to in EVIDENCE-based DATA--then my BS detector goes off.

[@slaplapdog]

Thank you for acknowledging not knowing about the troubling origins of these practices, thank you for appreciating how your audience educated you, and thank you for clearly and easily separating yourself and your collaborator from the hate while not discarding the potential good information. Brother, once again, you show yourself to be a stand up guy.

[@ximono]

Well said! I'll just add that I think racism and antisemitism stems from ignorance and/or psychological issues. Hate is a byproduct of that. I haven't read Steiner myself, but I'd be surprised if he spewed hate. As far as I know, he thought that Europeans were superior to others - spiritually, culturally and intellectually. That's not a whole lot better, I know, and I'm definitely not saying it's OK. But I think it's more misguided than hateful.

[@marksprague8425]

Except the antisemitism accusations aren't true.

[@marksprague8425]

"Anti-Semitism is not only a danger to Jews, it is also a danger to non Jews" "Anti-Semitism (and with it racism) is a symptom of spiritual decay, it is a symptom of a cultural disease. Therefore it is a duty of everyone to fight against it in all areas as energetically as possible". Just a couple quotes from Rudolf Steiner. There are plenty of others that disprove that accusation. He did criticize Zionism, but that was not from antisemitic reasons. Some of his more esoteric thoughts on souls etc. are going to sound pretty bizarre to most without a deeper understanding behind what he is saying (a bit like high end astrophysics about time and space to a layman . (Note, I'm not saying he was necessarily correct) Don't forget the national Socialists spread vicious lies about him and even burned down the first Anthroposophical headquarters building because he apposed them.

[@ximono]

​@@marksprague8425 That's an important point. I've recently read that he wasn't antisemitic, but argued in an 1888 article for the _assimilation_ of jews into German culture and society, not by force, but by a natural process. This was a common view at the time, and is different from the racist antisemitism that was based on the idea that jews _couldn't_ be assimilated. In fact, Steiner argued _against_ antisemitism in later articles.

[@thedorkasaur]

The background noise from his farm is amazing. So alive!

[@FeralEarthGardens]

Really happy to see Jeff on the show! A couple years ago caught an old episode of the Volunteer Gardener and very inspiring! Getting hold of and processing the specific plant and rock matter doesn't seem too hard, as basically all that surrounds me at my place. Attaining the animal parts is a bit more challenging even tho neighbors have cows and deer are everywhere. I can see where time, connectedness and rather sacred intentions all come together as the entire spinning, changing univerese reveals its wisdom thru humans in buckets, dust, and life sprouting from the Earth :)

[@huntercoxpersonal]

Sprinkle ground quartz in the morning, stir a manure filled cow horn in water in the evening?? Make sure it’s a 50/50 clockwise chaos and counterclockwise.. lol I’d love to see some A/B testing on these processes.

[@rferris]

Find a biodynamic farm, winery, etc. And just try their products, they speak for themselves. So so delicious!

[@davisbonk53]

My personal opinion is people are successful because they have a lot of intention and are present in these applications so the biological activity of the innoculants is effective. Like putting the horn out at night. My guess is the ritual is like that so the application doesn’t dry and the microbes die off

[@flatsville9343]

My favorite was the "hidden alchemy" of transmuting calcium into nitrogen. (Min mark approx 17:04) Uh, no. Calcium is a regulator of absorbtion & assimilation of nitrate uptake. Either a bad explanation or he's horribly confused. No "transmuting" of elements.

[@flatsville9343]

@Freeland-Farm Something about "potentizing" in a few places. Also "forces rayed back" in regards to the cow horn. Something, something silica & iron "radiation." "Hidden alchemy" of transforming/transmuting (?) calcium into nitrogen. I noted some others, too. I had to listen twice to make certain I actually heard what I thought I had heard. That being said, his place is nice. Fortunately, seeds have their own DNA plan regardless of what humans try to do to them.

[@traciecoleman469]

I struggle with the ‘far out there nature’ of the content. Good information in a small dose.

[@Argles_Organics]

Im not sold on the specific claims, but id much prefer to eat produce from this system than industrial agriculture. If I was buying land and there were two parcels next to each other and one had been farmed in this method Id buy it! Again not because of specific claims, but the care of the land is evident.

[@masteraus66]

I love seeing esoteric and alternative ways of doing things. Might help inspire new offshoots of cultivating the base principle.

[@chiltepierce]

After working on a biodynamic vineyard this summer in Southern Oregon, I came away with a lot of insight into the inner workings of the biodynamic community as well as the outright failures when it came to maintaining the health of the vineyard. In 2023 they had one of the worst harvests on record, due to their belief that their vineyard could survive strictly off of the preps being shipped in from Virginia. This year, they started to use a basic organic 3-3-3 base fertilizer through the drip system, and did foliar sprays to correct some phosphorous and zinc issues that Biodynamics was not able to address. Biodynamics, as explained to me by their main salesman, was to sell wine. The few sporadic preps that were applied to the vineyard were mainly for social media purposes. This leads me into the biodynamic community, which many do have great intentions, at times seems very exclusionary and hyper focused on the prep making side of things instead of actually farming. For me what I took away from biodynamics is that the system is far too difficult to scale the system for any type of actual production. I really do appreciate you discussing the dark side of Steiner's world view, that most folks in that community basically outright deny.

[@notillgrowers]

Thanks for that perspective! Definitely not gonna get a defense from me--some people are just always going to see ecological or organic farming practices as a marketing opportunity and exploit it.

[@ximono]

That it doesn't scale is a good thing in my book. It means it can't be exploited by greedy people.

[@janfrank3453]

@@ximono Two negatives don't make it positive.

[@ximono]

@@janfrank3453 That's a nice play with words, but that's not what this is. It being inherently hard to scale up is a virtue, not a negative in my eyes. How you see it depends on your values of course.

[@janfrank3453]

@@ximono Considering we are 8.2 trillion people on this globe, good food better scale.

[@fourseasonshomestead9819]

That was like being transported back to the 60s. If i could find a commune a cow horn , small intestines and a stomach I could really grow something. I like to learn useful things and this was a little too far out there for me. Sorry Jesse ill tune in next time. Peace out.

[@richardraggi9041]

Super interesting. Definitely going to check out the institute in Floyd Virginia, I live very close. We also live in north central North Carolina, and the devastation that we’ve seen in the mountains from hurricane Helene has hit us hard! Having a farm ourselves and being so close to where many lost everything is heart wrenching. There are many donation campaigns out there, so if any one watching can help, please do! Great video, we’ve learned so much from this channel.

[@notillgrowers]

So sorry about the hurricane. Truly--seen a lot of great farmers and friends are struggling right now. Here, we lost power for a day and several places were flooded. Kids were out of school. All that just to say that if it was that bad here (which is 4 hours from Asheville) I can only imagine what you all are going through.

[@richardraggi9041]

@@notillgrowers we are so grateful we had very little damage, especially considering a 9” rain event in one day the week prior. The hardest part about farming is knowing one bad storm can destroy months and years of work. Thank you for all you do, we are certain our no till practices have had some impact on how our farm can handle events like this.

[@thedorkasaur]

Could adding the flowers to the compost not do the same thing, without needing to bury it in body parts?

[@davidkottman3440]

Likely, right?

[@iamwendyiam]

I think so too. However, if I had an old milk cow that died at a happy old age I would consider incorporating the animal body in biodynamic farming practices.

[@EricNordell-ld6wp]

Thanks!

[@notillgrowers]

Wow amazing thank you

[@tonymajcan6950]

Great video. How much do you add to your compost? Thank you

[@sheamaloney5527]

Thank you so much for that! I’m so inspired! If I wasn’t taking care of my mother round the clock I’d be running off to find a biodynamic agriculture training. It keeps circling around to me over the years and watching this video fanned my flame again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@600plantlife]

If you defoliate your pepper and inoculated with certain inoculants can it increase its cold hardiness and maybe come back in the spring

[@allonesame6467]

We owe much to generous practitioners who teach. Blessings Abound

[@ArizonaGrows]

Rhat was super interesting. Love how they close the loop on everything.

[@spaceantelope1]

Never judge people of yesteryear by the standards of today. I can only imagine what our descendants will say about us, even tho we today are mostly well intended. Also, today’s magic is tomorrow’s (and yesteryear’s) science.

[@notillgrowers]

I mean, yes and no. The value of context here is that, without it, someone could find themselves deep in Steiner's literature thinking they need to embrace his thoughts on, for example, race and soul evolution and/or racial hierarchies. I feel we get too precious about these legacies -- if in 120 years people find certain views we held as no longer appropriate to the current society because they are harmful to someone, then by all means take from our work what is helpful and discard the rest.

[@spaceantelope1]

@@notillgrowers to your first point. To embrace Steiner’s views on race would require judgement. My point is to try and not judge at all, if it is even humanly possible. Perhaps it is possible to disagree with his views, but not to demonize the man. Perhaps we will soon find that some or all plants are indeed more sentient than once supposed. Will we look back on today’s market gardeners as bigots and mass murderers?? I wish I knew more about Steiner and his views. I will say, tho, that there are significant differences amongst peoples. It seems that in an effort to make things more equitable, we have decided that everyone is all the same, when we are not all the same. I would never suggest that one race is ultimately superior to another race, tho, as it seems Steiner has done. He was a man of his times. I will not judge him, and I can only hope that our descendants will cut us some slack as well, but “judging” (there’s that word again) by the way people are these days, we will likely not be so fortunate. People may look back on you, Jesse, as the great Salinova murderer of Central Kentucky.🤣💀🌎✌️🌎✌️

[@ximono]

I went to a Waldorf school, and I vividly remember one episode where an arts teacher told us that European culture is superior to cultures from further south. That Middle Eastern cultures had cloudy minds from all the incense, while Europeans had clear minds, or something like that. I remember that it pissed me off, enough to paint a great painting with a Middle Eastern theme as a protest. But that's the only time I can remember hearing anything to that extent during my Waldorf education. It's not prevalent, at least from my experience. I don't think there's much risk of people becoming racist or antisemitic from engaging with Steiner's legacy. If they do, they're probably predisposed to it anyway. In general, I think a lot of people are oversensitive these days. With a bit of integrity and composure, you should be fine if exposed to opinions you don't agree with. If not, I think you have some deeper issues.

[@marksprague8425]

@@ximono Exactly, with any group you are going to get some idiots spouting nonsense, especially one that deals with more esoteric ideas . I too have met wonderful, very bright and reasonable Anthroposophists, but also a few horrible egomaniacs or nincompoops with psychological problems. Did he get everything right? Probably not, as he was human, but spreading hatred and antisemitism would be completely antithetical to Steiner's teachings.

[@brokenmeats5928]

I love ALL No-Till Growers videos!

[@devinsullivan7233]

Jeff is the man! I wish you guys could have showed more pictures or videos of his amazing crops. I have been watching everything Jeff Poppen for years

[@MoonchildBloomsFF]

A man after my own heart. This video was amazing, thanks for sharing

[@igloopupa]

I love the mysticism about BD. Life on this planet is indeed a mystical phenomenon 🌿

[@andrewsealy3875]

I dont comment much but i must say that i appreciate that clarification and all the educational advice you guys provide wannabe farmers like myself ...Peace n love

[@taracatherine1753]

Loving your content more and more❤ for me it's about taking organic farming to the next level

[@nickzivs]

If anyone in the comments somehow drew a conclusion that because you were discussing the tenants of biodynamic growing that this somehow meant you also subscribe to Steiner’s antisemitic or racial tropes, then they may be inquisitive but they’re certainly not applying good quality control when it comes to conclusion-drawing at least on this matter. I don’t think you need to clarify this, it seems a bit gratuitous. Amazing content as always from an agricultural perspective.

[@jayteaman]

Those practices with the animal parts sure are Halloween-worthy.

[@sharpland]

Wow. Sometimes, even after a decade on binging on permaculture, I realize I still know nothing! Amazing.

[@FelixChatsworth]

Mental note to self, dont read the comments. Thanks for the vid, great to see more diversity in content.

[@doinacampean9132]

All in all, I agree that all the non edible parts of an animal should be composted, but I'd rather eat the young stinging nettles and save the chamomile flowers for tea. I would compost the spent herbal tea, and I would make a compost tea out of mature, fibrous nettles (which would later be composted). As for swirling, yes, that's how I dissolve the sugar in my tea, clockwise and counter-clockwise.

[@jamesedwards2687]

Very informative discussion. Thanks .

[@ardenthebibliophile]

Boy this is a hard video to watch given the amount of mysticism involved. Making soil 'intelligent' or making calcium 'alive' were two that stuck out to me on top of the direct ties to homeopothy (potentizing, aka diluting to impossibly low concentration). Look, there may be valuable insights in some of the methods; e.g. I fully agree with his spreading of huge amounts of compost each year. There is a lot of items which would need careful measurement and observation to pick out true mechanisms or even whats effective.

[@Dirt-Fermer]

It sounds like they’re just making the soil biology and microbiology like a healthy immune system for the soil and then obviously that leads to healthy plants, but adding some spiritual explanations for / with the science. If you could study the process with a soil scientist and chemists they would probably show a bunch of beneficial reactions. I would have to look if there’s already data on this but I’m gonna be lazy

[@betsiedeysel316]

I also tried to follow on n scientific level,one thing that stood out tough. "Getting the potassium microbes going" We are not yet able to know the exact DNA sequencing of each microbe. What if there are certain micobes that prefer certain feedstocks?

[@ardenthebibliophile]

@@Dirt-Fermer yes they're trying to boost the soil biology but doing so with 2-5mL of solution on a giant pile of compost. It just ain't happening

[@Dirt-Fermer]

@@ardenthebibliophile wouldn’t the bacteria multiply whatever benefits?

[@ardenthebibliophile]

@@Dirt-Fermer you're throwing them in the milieu that already exists. Is it possible? Yes. But is it likely? Hard telling. The existing soil biome could just as easily kill all of them and the true effect is actually because the farmer just turned the compost pile.

[@nathanielgraham622]

interesting cross references of plants used in BD preps vs NF FPJ recipes. with the simplicity and results i get from Master Cho's system NF will remain my primary focus

[@derekthayer5897]

Steiner looked at the earth in a very interesting way and although some techniques may seem esoteric there may most likely is a sientific explanation for how they do work that people didnt understand or was forhotten remember that the intestines have poores and enzymes and tons of biology as well as the bladder steiner described the soil as earth stomach i belive and when you think anout it that way you treat it different instead of macdonalds how about some organ meat and natural herbs and veggies

[@stevo4535]

Comment for the algorithm, good stuff keep it up man!

[@deannewilliams3321]

Yes, I’m trying to get my property back to organic! Thanks for the advice!

[@stillwhitelight]

He was correct about a lot.

[@stuhennessey9013]

Thanks for bringing this interesting topic to your channel. I have often visited Dotterfelderhof i.n Bad Vibel, Germany where Steiner held early courses on Biodynamics. Amazing farm and lifestyle.

[@andrewwright1738]

That guy rules! Where do I sign up!?

[@goatsofwar7181]

This is gold 👌 thank you!

[@gulsumdave5711]

Interesting, can you recommend any independent studies into biodynamic agricultural practices.

[@dertythegrower]

Soil food web school, Dr. Elaine Ingham talks about it weekly

[@flatsville9343]

I think he meant these specific so-called "preparations." Some years ago, I looked & found nothing. Lots of "faith based" AG/gardening going on out there that was initially based on sound principles (composting, for example) & then amended far beyond believable claims.

[@ximono]

Look up the DOK experiment that has been comparing bio-dynamic, organic and conventional farms since 1978(!). A recent report is titled "Biological soil quality and soil organic carbon change in biodynamic, organic, and conventional farming systems after 42 years".

[@notillgrowers]

It's a good question and the research is kind of a mixed bag. Similar to practices like KNF that can have profoundly different results based on the user/materials/context, a lot of biodynamic literature is all over the place with some showing good results and other showing none or even negative results. There are some interesting studies on the microbial communities within the preps, which to me is one thing that could be extracted from these preps-they are likely to yield unique microbial populations in their production. Anyway, I’d love to do a deeper dive into the research at some point because it is fascinating.

[@abydosianchulac2]

​@@flatsville9343 I wonder if any of the studies have narrowed in to see what's going on with the preparations and not how those preparations (and their use) are impacting the soil productivity. I've never bought into the BD rituals, but in seeing them explained here I'm wondering if the different preps (side from the crushed quartz one) are creating concentrated colonies of microbes adept at processing the micro/macronutrients abundant in each. The animal casings may be acting to keep those microbes and released nutrients from seeping into the surrounding soil, if nothing else. So basically you're creating inoculants for several specialized beneficial microbes native to your area. ...aaand then applying then homeopathically to the soil and compost...... [Edit: Haha, it figures Jesse was writing the answers at the same time I was writing my questions]

[@YOOTOOBjase]

What is he talking about with the horn? I don't know anything about Steiner, but either this fellow is missing something in the explanation, or the model has method without much explanation

[@YOOTOOBjase]

1. The cow has a horn 2. As the cow lives and digests, forces go into the horn and array back into the digestive system 3. So we use the horn What? Are the forces blood? Nutrients? Why are we using the horn for the garden, though? What am I missing?

[@iamwendyiam]

@@YOOTOOBjasesilica

[@NickDumitru]

You had to have a warning for the race baiters AND the vegans in one video? 😂 Man the world has gotten soft. I had to fast forward the whole start of this video. Otherwise thank you for the great content as usual. I always learn a lot from your videos.

[@ruthlongridge]

Thanks so much

[@heidigendron3638]

Doing all those preps seems like an inefficient use of time (fiddly) when you can incorporate all those elements directly into a compost pile. 😵‍💫

[@glassbackdiy3949]

Dan Kittredge (BFA) went over the reults of their huge nutrient density trial, some huge shocks in there, hundreds of samples from all over the US & EU. There was no correlation to growing style in the top 10% for nutrient density; conventional, no till, organic, regenAg, Biodymanic, home gorwn etc. etc. The ONLY correlation was soil microbe respiration, it's all about the soil biology baby!

[@jameshallinan8020]

Much love Jesse!!! I have been a subscriber for quite a while now and I'm forever grateful. I'm also into biodynamics and Rudolf Steiner. I'm highly skeptical about his antisemitism and also skeptical about what the term even means anymore. I don't want to put him on a pedestal and I welcome evidence respectfully in the spirit of open and honest debate. I promise to not be butt hurt if I am in fact given proof of this accusation. Thanks again and what an exciting development, controversy

[@notillgrowers]

Here is the best and fairest article I've read on the subject. This same author has produced a couple other very thorough papers on Steiner's link to anti-Semitism and racim as well epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=hist_fac

[@davidstick9207]

I do not know the history...but I DO KNOW KZbin weekly blocks me for speaking out against Israel's actions resulting in the murder of innocent women and children...and those reporting me accuse me of being antisemitic. I do not support genocide. I do not support assassinations. I do not support murdering innocents just to kill a known terrorist. If this makes me antisemitic...I will wear that honor with pride. If I am accused of being something I was not...one must ask...how long has this been going on? Accusing people of being antisemitic when all they do is speak out against actions we do not agree with? History...is quite...problematic...it is written by one side. I no longer trust what was written...given what I see with my eyes

[@joshlovegood9392]

I agree James. I've done some reading into the accusations and couldn't really find any evidence to suggest racial hatred. Yes, his racial hierarchy theories are eyebrow-raising. But he is talking about our potential / mythical descendants. Not literally accusing certain races as stupid. His writings are highly esoteric, and it is a shame that people misconstrue and simplify his words as 'racist'. I'm convinced in Biodynamic practices. The results speak for themselves. There's so much science still can't answer.

[@time7813]

@@Freeland-Farm Personally, I like to KEEP the bathwater--There's lots of nutrient in there(!)... Sometimes it's a bit of an UGLY BABY, though...😉

[@jameshallinan8020]

​@@notillgrowersthank you, I will check it out

[@mashpotaeto]

Can you get large predators in America (if you erect a huge fence)?

[@dertythegrower]

Yes. Animal Sanctuary licenses typically required, depending on city and state. Florida has a lot where people will get in trouble and have not so legit animals... the police return the criminals wild animal to a wildlife rescue placez typically on the edges of city or county woodland areas.

[@Detour4it]

Interesting. Thanks

[@dantheman9135]

Stiener's work is huge. His critics cry all the isms. He was murdered by poisoning... Crush on

[@chiltepierce]

@@dantheman9135 yea his work was hugely racist for sure!!!! Props to the brave one that ended the nonsense!!!

[@marksprague8425]

@@chiltepierce That is bullshit

[@chiltepierce]

@@marksprague8425 deny history much?

[@marksprague8425]

@@chiltepierce No, not at all. Give us direct evidence for what you are claiming, or are you just respouting what you heard from equally bad analyses

[@marksprague8425]

He died of cancer, not poison. Where4 are you getting that nonsense from?

[@leofiredog]

Steiner was on to it.

[@suz4keeps]

Informative thanks

[@iamwendyiam]

I wonder what would happen if the manure were buried in an open wooden, glass, or clay vessel.

[@katipohl2431]

Highly interesting, thanks for this report.

[@samuelmjlfjell]

Thanks Farmer Jesse

[@johng8290]

Stuffing cow heads and horns seems pretty over the top and tbh insane.

[@iamwendyiam]

I see biodynamic farming as natural farming. KNF is a profiting “brand” and Theosophy is another but the wisdom was there before the publisher

[@chiltepierce]

@@iamwendyiam it’s essential to know that the Chris Trump form of KNF is MUCH different than anything Master Cho taught. The bad thing is that most Americans have only been exposed to Chris and his Joel Osteen style of “classes”.

[@Nuck-b6t]

Im not buying the bury it over winter thing. Its too cold to do anything and fresh spring stable cleaning are plentiful.

[@YOOTOOBjase]

Interestingly, I agree with his sentiment about our source of Nitrogen and the effect on us as integrating with the land. I don't agree with how he got there

[@ximono]

Interesting to say the least. Biodynamics sounds _a lot_ like superstition to modern humans like me. But somehow their agricultural products are widely known to be excellent. Who knows what the correlation between their rituals and their results are, if any at all. Maybe it has no real effect, but the totality of running a farm that way just happens to result in great soil and great produce? Not by chance, but because it's based on old agricultural traditions, like farmer Jesse said in the intro. They must be doing something right.

[@cepamoa1749]

well a sect is a sect, they are a danger to weak people and they make tons of money with that.

[@ximono]

@@cepamoa1749 I can assure you there's not a ton of money in biodynamic agriculture 😀 Nor in anything related to Steiner. It is sect-ish though, but as sects go, it's pretty harmless.

[@Dirt-Fermer]

@@ximono bring back the Druids

[@sampedro9316]

@@Dirt-Fermer I'm a druid.

[@ximono]

​@@natel9019 That's what he said. I find it more plausible that he built on existing knowledge, whether subconsciously or not. Steiner said a lot of weird things.

[@AndYourLittleDog]

I remember him from older Living Web Farm videos. I tend to think the best prep for a garden is the gardeners shadow. Will also add to the other commenters to condemn the views of Steiner, which have no place in a civil society .

[@marksprague8425]

Please don't spread BS. He was not antisemitic. In fact he was very against it himself. Thinking he was is from deep misunderstanding of what he said

[@YOOTOOBjase]

14:09 what on earth is he talking about? What does he mean by "radiations"? Okay, let's say the nettle works with radiations; how? What's happening?

[@sampedro9316]

It's magic

[@derekthayer5897]

Magic or something not currently explained with science

[@Greenmahn333]

👍

[@shakthiTN43]

Hi😊

[@tricknameless4710]

Все эти действия выглядят как колдовство!)

[@TF-ec5uj]

My dog loves to bury almost all of her treats, especially treats from various animals parts after slaughter day. Every now and then she digs one up, decides its not quite ready and reburies it. Just saying.

[@chiltepierce]

@@TF-ec5uj did you name him Rudolf?

[@TF-ec5uj]

@@chiltepierce Excellent reply! That is funny!

[@marksprague8425]

Weird, all my comments showing counter evidence to your charges get deleted. Is that you Jeff or KZbin? Repeating pretty easily disprovable awful aspersions toward someone and then not allowing a defense would be pretty despicable.

[@notillgrowers]

Once again, we still aren’t deleting comments. Thanks

[@marksprague8425]

@@notillgrowers Thanks for the response. It must be key words or links triggering the youtube algos

[@notillgrowers]

I do think KZbin hides comments sometimes - no idea how that works 🤷🏻

[@marksprague8425]

Woops, I see I wrote Jeff instead of Jesse

[@Golden_SnowFlake]

It doesn't matter how Evil or Ist someone was in the distant past, what matters is reality. The reality is we eat bread, we use computers, we use trains, planes and automobiles, and every single thing along the way has EXTREMISTS involved in the creation of them. We don't need to care about the position of an EXTREMIST, whether it was in the distant past, or today, Lets stop pandering to activists for the sake of activism. Love what you do, but this irked me, as it solves nothing to bring up the past, just talk about the effects of the thing that is a part of reality, we don't care about the political ideologies of long dead folks.

[@chiltepierce]

@@Golden_SnowFlake I can speak to the absolute failure of biodynamics on a 65 acre scale!!!! It’s crazy to think that farmers would entrust their whole operation off a racist dude that didn’t even farm!!!! Your denial of history and the backwardness of Steiner’s thought processes is baffling.

[@loganvetter3608]

Not the Shit Horns 😭

[@wendirivers5178]

I see the alchemy potential but it ounds a lot like witchcraft..

[@cepamoa1749]

biodynamic is a religious thing from the antrhopisophic sect, i dont see why people continue to promote that.... steiner has never practiced anything in garden or other he is a sect leader nothing else.

[@marksprague8425]

That seems like a pretty uncharitable characterization considering all the fields were he was quite accomplished. To name a few, if you are not familiar,: He was an accomplished philosopher (wrote "Philosophy of Freedom"). He designed the two Goetheanum buildings, Developed Eurythmy, Waldorf education, and developed the ideas of social threefolding. If you don't feel his more esoteric ideas have value, fine. Some of it is definitely out there from common thinking of today and difficult. As far as a sect feeling to Anthroposophy if you are thinking groupies, that is more a factor of some of the followers, not him;.I do think his mental exercises are as good or better than other meditative techniques. As far as religion goes, my understanding is that he thought blind faith and religiosity was a bit backwards and in working with the Christian Community he was trying to transform those impulses. His concepts of freedom were pretty central to his thinking, so blindly following along would be counter to what he was trying to achieve. " As far as never practicing anything in the garden, are you so sure of that? He grew up in the countryside and he worked with a lot of farmers and scientists who did a lot of field and lab experiments..

[@aenorist2431]

Algo-Comment, despite my disagreeing with this specific content.

[@notillgrowers]

haha, well, respect ✊